Correction to: Rouxiella aceris sp. nov., isolated from tree sap and the emended description of the genus Rouxiella

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek - In the original publication of the article by Lee, Yang and Kim published in Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (2021) 114:1013–1024, the sentence ‘Type strain SAP-1T...     

Alterations in the human immune response to the hepatitis B vaccine among the elderly

The specific binding of hepatitis B (HBs) antigen by lymphocytes from old people immunized with hepatitis B vaccine was explored. For that purpose HBs antigen was combined with fluorescent microspheres, and labeled antigen was allowed to react with lymphocytes from HBs vaccine-responsive or unresponsive people. Lymphocytes from 10 responders and 14 nonresponders were tested for their antigen-binding ability. For controls, lymphocytes were incubated with microspheres bearing human albumin. Lymphocytes from 8 out of 10 responders were able to recognize HBs antigen; for the nonresponders the ratio was 9 out of 14. HBs-binding lymphocytes were B cells but not T lymphocytes. B and T cells from responders and nonresponders were combined and cultivated for 8 days in the presence of HBs antigen, and antibody-producing cells were counted. Neither B cells alone nor B cells plus T cells from nonresponders were able to produce antibody. On the other hand B cells from unresponsive old people produced antibodies when they were cultivated in the presence of HBs antigen and T cells from responsive old people. These data suggest that some elderly individuals who do not produce antibody after in vivo immunization by HBs vaccine do have antibody-producing cells. Instead of a gap in their immune repertoire, these people are suffering from immune dysfunction.     

Transfer of Lactic Acid Bacterial Strains from the Feed to the Sow,the Environment,and the Piglets

The spread of lactic acid bacterial strains to the environment and to newborn piglets was investigated after feeding of such strains to sows. Rifampicin resistant bacterial strains were fed to sows, 1010 c.f.u. per day, during the period from 1 week before expected farrowing until 1 week after farrowing. Fecal samples from the sows and samples of litter were collected for bacteriological examination together with swabs from the pens, the skin of the sows, and from the rectum of the piglets. The test strains were only excreted in relatively low amounts in the feces of the sows, approximately 103 −106 c.f.u. per gram. They were not able to displace the normal lactic acid bacterial flora in the sows nor were they transmitted to the intestinal tract of the piglets to any significant extent. After the last administration the test strains disappeared from both feces, skin, and environment, indicating that no permanent colonization had taken place, although considerable differences in duration of persistence were noticed between test strains.     

An immunohistochemical study of the insulin-, glucagon- and somatostatin-immunoreactive cells in the developing pancreas of the chicken embryo

The distributions and relative frequencies of insulin-, glucagon- and somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were studied in dorsal, ventral, third and splenic lobes of developing chicken pancreas during embryonic periods (10 days of incubation to hatching) by immunohistochemical methods. The regions of pancreas were subdivided into three regions: exocrine, light and dark islet. Round, oval and spherical shaped immunoreactive cells were detected in all four lobes. According to developmental stages, the types of lobes and the regions of pancreas showed various distributions and relative frequencies. In the splenic lobes, insulin, glucagon and somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were detected in exocrine, dark islet and light islet from time differentiation of splenic lobes, 13 days of incubation. The insulin- and somatostatin-immunoreactive cells of the third lobes were detected in exocrine and light islets from 10 days of incubation, and in dark islets from 15 and 11 days of incubation respectively. Glucagon-immunoreactive cells were detected in exocrine, dark and light islets from 16, 11 and 19 days of incubation respectively. These immunoreactive cells of the ventral lobes were detected in exocrine and light islets. However, dark islets were not found in this lobe. Insulin-immunoreactive cells were demonstrated from 10 days of incubation in these two regions. Glucagon-immunoreactive cells were detected from 17 days of incubation in exocrine and 16 days of incubation in the light islets. Somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were demonstrated from 11 days of incubation in exocrine and 14 days of incubation in the light islets. In the dorsal lobes, insulin-immunoreactive cells were demonstrated in exocrine, dark and light islets from 12, 14, and 13 days of incubation, respectively. Glucagon- and somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were detected in dark and light islets from 13 and 14 days of incubation, respectively. Glucagon- and somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were demonstrated from 10 and 11 days of incubation in exocrine respectively. Generally, insulin-immunoreactive cells were increased in light islets but decreased in light islets with developmental stages. However, glucagon-immunoreactive cells were decreased in light islets but increased in dark islets. In addition, somatostatin-immunoreactive cells showed the same frequencies in light and dark islets with developmental stages except exocrine which increased with developmental stages.     

Rostrocaudal Somatotopy in the Neural Connections Between the Lateral Hypothalamus and the Dorsal Periaqueductal Gray of the Rat Brain

Summary 1. The lateral hypothalamus (LH) and the dorsal periaqueductal gray area (dPAG) are two important brain structures involved in central cardiovascular control.2. In the present study, we searched for possible rostrocaudal somatotopy in the neural connections from the three subdivisions of the LH (anterior—LHa; tuberal—LHt and posterior—LHp) to the different rostrocaudal portions of the dPAG.3. The bidirectional neuronal tracer biotinylated-dextran-amine (BDA) was microinjected into different rostrocaudal coordinates of the dPAG (AP 3.4–2.7 mm) of male Wistar rats. One week later, animals were sacrificed and brain slices were processed and analyzed to detect neuronal efferent projections from the LH to the dPAG.4. Neuronal cell body staining was observed along all the rostrocaudal axis of the LH when BDA was microinjected in more rostral dPAG coordinates. When the BDA was microinjected into more caudal dPAG regions, labeled neurons were observed only in the caudal portion of the LH.5. Efferent projections from the LHa were directed only to the rostral portion of the dPAG. Projections from the rostral and medial portions of the LHt were also directed to the rostral dPAG, whereas both rostral and caudal dPAG received projections from the caudal portion of the LHt. Efferent projections from the anterior portion of the LHp were directed to both rostral and caudal dPAG, whereas projections from the caudal LHp were only directed to the rostral portion of the dPAG.6. The results suggest a somatotopic correlation in LH projections to the dPAG with main connections to the rostral dPAG, which are efferent from the three divisions of the LH. More caudal regions of the dPAG received afferents only from posterior sites in the LH.7. Moreover, the results point out to extensive and complex neural somatotopic projections from all LH subdivisions to different rostrocaudal portions of the dPAG, reinforcing the idea of significant functional interactions between the brain structures.     

Associations between the rates of elongation of the short bones of the hand

Data from serial radiographs of 40 children were used to study the rates of total, diaphyseal and epiphyseal elongation of the bones of the hand from 3–13 years. Communality indices were calculated from complete correlation matrices for each sex. These indices tended to be lower for boys than girls. Communality indices for distal phalanges were lower than for the other bones and those for epiphyseal elongation were lower than those for total or diaphyseal elongation. Correlations between groups of bones in their rates of elongation were higher in rows of bones than in rays. There were statistically significant neighborhood effects and a slight tendency to marginal effects in the correlations between rates of elongation in rows of bones; neither of these effects was present in rays.     

On the evolution of the photosynthetic pigments

During the course of terrestrial evolution, some organisms developed the capability of capturing and utilizing solar radiation. Colored compounds were undoubtedly incorporated within living forms from the earliest times, but during the transition from heterotrophic to a photoautotrophic metabolism only those pigments were selected that were components of the evolving photosynthetic apparatus and were able to catalyze reactions involving storage of light energy in chemical bonds. In this communication, some properties of tetrapyrroles with a closed porphyrin ring containing a metal ion in the center are discussed. These compounds are present in all principal contemporary photosynthetic pigments, and their synthesis has been demonstrated from simpler compounds under prebiotic conditions. It is probable that during intermediate stages in the evolution of photosynthesis, pigments with oxidizing potentials lower than that of chlorophyll were utilized to store light energy although they were not capable of removing electrons from water. The evolution and function of multiple forms of a given photosynthetic pigmentin vivo are discussed. ‘Accessory’ pigments may be regarded as rudiments of the evolutionary development of the photosynthetic apparatus.     

Survival of Heterodera zeae in Soil in the Field and in the Laboratory

Eggs and (or) second-stage juveniles (J2) inside cysts of Heterodera zeae survived over winter in the field with no detectable mortality at all six depths to 30 cm from which soil samples were collected between corn stubble in the row at 4-8-week intervals. Few or no free J2 were recovered from soil collected in January-April from the top 5 cm, but some were recovered at all samplings from soil collected at greater depths. Emergence of J2 from cysts and numbers of females developing on corn roots in bioassays of cysts increased substantially between January and April. Cyst numbers in a fallow area of the corn field did not decline at any depth to 30 cm during 20 months. Free soil J2, J2 emerged from cysts, and females from the bioassay of cysts were highest at the first soil sampling in July after 10 months of fallow; numbers of nematodes in all three categories declined thereafter, but a few were still detectable after 20 months of fallow. Some cysts were still being recovered after 51 months from naturally infested field soil stored moist in the laboratory at 2 C and 24 C. Females were produced in the bioassays of cysts recovered from soil stored for 38 months at 24 C and for 32 months at 2 C. No free J2 were recovered from soil after 1 month of storage at -18 C, but even after 7 months storage J2 emerged from cysts that were recovered and many females developed in bioassays of those cysts.     

On the evolution of the photosynthetic pigments.

During the course of terrestrial evolution, some organisms developed the capability of capturing and utilizing solar radiation. Colored compounds were undoubtedly incorporated within living forms from the earliest times, but during the transition from heterotrophic to a photoautotrophic metabolism only those pigments were selected that were components of the evolving photosynthetic apparatus and were able to catalyze reactions involving storage of light energy in chemical bonds. In this communication, some properties of tetrapyrroles with a closed porphyrin ring containing a metal ion in the center are discussed. These compounds are present in all principal contemporary photosynthetic pigments, and their synthesis has been demonstrated from simpler compounds under prebiotic conditions. It is probable that during intermediate stages in the evolution of photosynthesis, pigments with oxidizing potentials lower than that of chlorophyll were utilized to store light energy although they were not capable of removing electrons from water. The evolution and function of multiple forms of a given photosynthetic pigment in vivo are discussed. 'Accessory' pigments may be regarded as rudiments of the evolutionary development of the photosynthetic apparatus.     

Region-specific cell clones in the developing spinal cord of the zebrafish

 To analyse the proliferative abilities of cells within particular regions of the zebrafish neural plate, injections of fluorescein-dextran were made into single cells at either medial or intermediary positions in the neural plate region of two-somite stage embryos. The resulting cell clones were analysed in 3.5-day-old embryos. Clones with similar compositions were found among those derived from injections in both regions, and these were grouped into classes. 78 clones 29 obtained following injections in the medial region, and 22 of 59 cell clones derived from injections in the intermediary region, were classifiable into 9 and 10 different classes, respectively, each comprising a variable number of clones. Several identified cell types, as well as each of the clone classes themselves, were specific for the regions of the neural plate from which they derived, i.e. they were not represented among the clones derived from the other region. These results suggest that the composition of the lineages derived from particular cells is constant in different animals. Received: 13 July 1998 / Accepted: 20 October 1998     

Absorption and metabolism of purines by the small intestine of the chicken.

1. Absorption of purines and their metabolism by the small intestine were estimated by using the everted gut sacs from the duodenum, jejunum and ileum of the chicken. 2. When no purine was added to the mucosal fluid, large amounts of uric acid, much less but appreciable adenine, hypoxanthine and xanthine and no detectable guanine were released from both sides of all segments of the small intestine, and these released amounts were largest in the duodenum. 3. Similar absorption rates of adenine from the jejunum and ileum were about 1.7-3.0 times as high as those of hypoxanthine and uric acid from these intestines and those of adenine and uric acid from the duodenum (P less than 0.05). 4. Guanine was not absorbed unchanged from any segments of the intestine and a little xanthine was absorbed only from the jejunum and ileum. 5. Guanine and xanthine seem to be absorbed in uric acid form, hypoxanthine in xanthine and uric acid forms and adenine in hypoxanthine form, from the small intestine especially from the jejunum. 6. Adenine, guanine, xanthine and hypoxanthine were greatly metabolized in the mucosa of the duodenum, and the conversions of hypoxanthine to xanthine and uric acid were most active.     

The development of the sweat and sebaceous glands in the skin of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius)

The sweat gland primordium appeared as a solid bud from the ental side of the epithelial cords of the growing hair follicles in the CRL 36 cm-fetus from the primary hair follicles and in the CRL 64 cm-fetus from the secondary ones. In the CRL 68 cm-fetus the glands were tubular with a slight curving of their lower third, which became convoluted at the CRL 83 cm-stage. At the latter age, clear myoepithelial cells were observed in the secretory portion as also in the duct. The buds of the sebaceous glands could be observed in the CRL 45 cm-fetus from the primary hair follicles and in the CRL 68 cm-fetus from the secondary ones. At the CRL 83 cm-fetal stage, the branched glands were elongated in shape and opened into the follicles by two separated ducts, united at the hair canal. The glands were in function nearly from its early development.     

Myosin isoforms of the developing skeletal muscles in the loach

Changes in the myosin isozyme spectrum were studied in the loach developing skeletal muscle. It was shown using disk-electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel and peptide mapping that light and heavy myosin chains from the larval muscles, as well as from the red and white muscle of adult fish differ from each other. Forms of myosin light and heavy chains were found which were characteristic of the larval muscle only.     

Trace metal biomonitoring in the soil and the leaves ofQuercus ilex in the urban area of Naples

The concentrations of Pb, Cu, Fe, and Mn were analyzed in surface deposit and tissue ofQuercus ilex leaves from several sites of the urban area of Naples, exposed to different degrees of air pollution. These included some major roads with heavy traffic loads, squares, and three urban parks. The soil from the trunk base area ofQ. ilex trees in the same sites was also analyzed for total and available metal contents. Pb, Cu, and Fe contents in the surface deposit and leaf tissue were significantly higher (p<0.01) in leaves from roadside sites than in leaves from parks; significant correlations were found between deposit- and tissue-contents of Pb, Cu, and Fe. Mn content in leaves from roadside sites and in leaves from parks were similar and Mn content in the leaf deposit was irrelevant. Significant differences (p<0.001) in both total and available Pb and Cu soil content were found between sampling sites. Also for available Fe and Mn soil content differences among sites were relevant, although the highest values were measured in soil from urban parks. A positive correlation between leaf and soil metal content was found only for Pb, thus suggesting that trace metal contents of leaves directly depend on atmospheric depositions. Seasonal variations of Pb, Cu, and Fe were pronounced at a polluted site, whereas no relevant seasonal variation was observed at a control site; moreover, metal accumulation was high at the polluted site. Mn content and seasonal dynamics were comparable at control and polluted sites.     

Genetics of the polycross

Summary Seeds from polycrosses with Norway spruce, in which the same sixteen male parents were crossed to a number of female parents in each of two years, were analysed electrophoretically to detect departures from male gamete frequencies expected assuming equal male fertilities, and to detect heterogeneity among female parents in male gamete frequencies in seeds. The data were also used to estimate the fertilities of the polycross trees used as male parents. Significant departures from male gamete frequencies expected assuming equal male fertilities were found in the seed pooled from all crosses. Male fertilities estimated from male gamete frequencies in seed from all crosses also departed significantly from expectation. The results are discussed with respect to assumptions made when estimating general combining abilities and expected response to selection in polycrosses.     

流行性出血热病毒在疫区鼠间垂直传播的首次证实

流行性出血热(EHF)病毒在鼠间垂直传播的问题一直未被证实。1985～1986年我们在实验研究的基础上进行了疫区现场研究,采用的基本方法是从感染的孕鼠子宫内剖取胎鼠,用免疫荧光法作抗原、抗体检查和病毒分离,结果从流行性出血热疫区捕获的4只黑线姬鼠孕鼠的胎鼠体内检出了特异性抗原和抗体(IgM和IgG)。从24只抗原阳性的褐家鼠孕鼠中检出抗原阳性胎鼠18只,垂直传播率达75％。从褐家鼠孕鼠和胎鼠中分离出病毒六株,经特异性试验和单克隆抗体鉴定确认为EHF病毒。上述事实证明,在自然条件下,流行性出血热病毒在疫区鼠类中存在着经胎盘感染或垂直传播。这一证实对于阐明疫源地形成、延续和扩散,以及人类发病等具有重要意义。     

Studies on the chromosomes and sex chromatin in the horse

This study provides accumulated data to assist the definition of karyotypes from normal and infertile horses. The normal karyotype of the horse (2n = 64) was characterized following Giemsa staining and C- banding, and 23% aneuploidy was found among chromosome counts of cells prepared from 44 clinically normal horses and 24 equine embryos. These expected variations in chromosome counts are especially important in the evaluation of potential mosaicism. Centromere staining was shown to be a valuable aid for the identification of specific chromosomes, in particular the sex chromosomes. Sex chromatin studies were applied to nerve tissue and polymorphonuclear neutrophils obtained from three horses. Distinctive sex chromatin bodies were detected in 70% of neurones from a normal mare. The sex chromatin was most frequently located adjacent to the nucleolus. Nuclear appendages ("drumsticks") were present in 4% of polymorphonuclear neutrophils from a normal mare. Small numbers of similar structures were noted in the neutrophils from each animal examined.     

Contamination of the Deep Tissues of Carcasses by Bacteria Present on the Slaughter Instruments or in the Gut

Possible routes by which bacteria might reach the deep tissues of carcasses were tested by placing genetically 'marked'strains of Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens or Bacillus thuringiensis on slaughter instruments before use and examining deep tissue samples for their presence post mortem . Bacteria present on the captive bolt pistol were recovered from the spleens of beef cattle and those placed on the pithing rod were found in both spleen and muscle of the flank and neck. Bacteria from the throat cutting ('stick') knife were isolated, on different occasions, from the heart, lung, spleen, liver and kidneys of sheep though rarely from their muscles. Orally administered bacteria were found in the spleen and lung, but not the musculature, of pigs.     

Crystals in the epithelial nuclei of the midgut of fleas]

On studying the changes in the epithelium of the midgut of Ceratophyllus tesquorum, C. laeviceps and Leptopsylla segnis intranuclear crystals were found during the process of digestion. They were recorded both from young and adult insects. The crystals were absent from nuclei of cells of regeneration nests, epithelium of the fore-intestine, any other organs or from nuclei of epithelial cells of the stomach of young non-feeding individuals. They were found neither in young nor in adult individuals of Xenopsylla conformis and Neopsylla setosa.     

Role of the fly in the transport of Yersinia enterocolitica

Yersinia enterocolitica were isolated from flies collected from a piggery and a kitchen of farm and from ham hung in a piggery. The cultures were identified as Y. enterocolitica biovar 4 and serovar 3 by biochemical and serological characteristics. From these results it is suggested that flies may play an important role in food contamination by Y. enterocolitica. In this study, the probable donors of Y. enterocolitica to the flies were swine.